1990 BMW 3-Series

Remember when everyone had one of these? Well, go try to find a nice one today. This 1990 BMW 325i convertible represents the best in open-air motoring, 80s style. But beyond being a staple on Ivy League campuses, it's actually a very nice car to drive with a very connected feeling that you don't get from cars today, even new BMWs. If you like to drive, this car will still delight you.Did they make these in any color except bright red? It looks great on the boxy 3-Series, and the drop-top conversion does a great job of making it seem fun and light-hearted. Typical BMW build quality means this is a very sturdy convertible and even after more than 25 years, the doors still open and close with a reassuring solidity that was a hallmark of German engineering. The paint is quite likely original, so it's got some age and use on it, but there's nothing that's out of the ordinary for a car of this vintage and with the convertible top, it has only seen sunny weather, not the winter grind up north. The look is still iconic, with a twin kidney grille up front, body-colored side moldings, and BMW emblems on the nose and tail, but it's not like anybody won't recognize this car. Rubber and other soft trim parts are still in very good condition and what little brightwork it has polishes up nicely. It's easy to see why these were so popular.The black leather interior showcases BMW's dedication to driving, with supportive sport seats, big gauges, and a fat steering wheel that's easy to grab. The seats are showing wear that's probably commensurate with the age and mileage, and the carpets are a little faded, which is to be expected in a car that spends its entire life in the sun. On the other hand, once you're situated behind the wheel, nothing else seems to matter and the machine talks to you in a way that we've totally lost in the 21st century. The A/C is reasonably effective, the power windows zip up and down, and there's a modern Sony AM/FM/CD/iPod/Bluetooth stereo system that updates at least that part of the car to current standards. The top is a beautifully fitted black canvas piece that stows easily under a hard-shell tonneau, and thanks to the upright shape, it doesn't even take up much trunk space, leaving plenty for your luggage on a nice, long road trip.As the 325 name suggests, this car carries a 2.5 liter inline-6 that was the darling of the automotive press throughout the 1980s. Turbine smooth and eager to rev, it's all about having fun. Time has also proven that these are some very robust engines and they're relatively easy to service compared to some of their V8 and V12 siblings. The engine bay is clean and shows a lot of recent service parts, so it's been well maintained throughout its life, and today it starts easily, idles well, and pulls the car around without any drama. It's also reasonably economical to run, especially with the tall overdrive in the 4-speed automatic transmission, making this a fantastic long-distance cruiser. BMW's athletic all-independent suspension leans into curves and begs you to drive faster, while powerful 4-wheel disc brakes were considerably more than you needed with such a lightweight package. Handsome MB Motoring aftermarket wheels give it a bit of a unique look and carry 185/70/14 blackwall radials.Icons rarely come cheap, but you can own the car that made everyone green with envy for pennies on the dollar. And it turns out that it's still a great car to drive. Call today!